Chapter 432 - 442: He Is Mine to Punish
Chapter 432: Chapter 442: He Is Mine to Punish
This time, her attitude was much more serious, a complete departure from her previous cavalier demeanor.
It looked like she was genuinely wavering.
Selene Larkin wasn’t surprised by this. ’Few people could resist the offer I’ve made,’ she thought.
No matter how capable she was, she was still just one person. She couldn’t compare to a massive base like theirs. But if she joined them, things would be different.
’What a pity...’
’Before, I really did have that intention. I planned to let her go for now, recruit her if the opportunity arose, and if not, eliminate her in secret later on.’
But after what River Larkin had just said, she’d changed her mind. This woman had to die. Otherwise, if word got out, Sanctyr Base would be utterly disgraced.
This time, the only way their base could regain its lost honor was by killing her.
So, no matter what choice she made, her final fate was sealed: death.
Everything Selene had just said was a lie, designed to make her lower her guard even further.
The moment she truly believed she could join Sanctyr Base, the moment she let her defenses down around them, would be the moment she died.
So, Selene was very patient now, waiting for the woman to think it through and give her answer.
After a long moment, Stella raised her head and gave her answer. "It’s not impossible for me to join Sanctyr Base."
When Tripp Jennings and Queenie Walsh heard this, their expressions darkened once again.
They didn’t want this woman to agree at all. In fact, they’d hoped she would continue her arrogant tirade.
Only then would Selene Larkin resolve to kill her, and only then could they get revenge for Derek Walsh.
But they never expected her to actually agree.
’If she really joins Sanctyr Base, won’t we all be members of the same base? Then we can’t use the base’s power to deal with her anymore.’
They knew full well in their hearts that a woman this powerful would climb the ranks incredibly fast if she gained Boss Saint’s favor. Soon, she’d be climbing right over their heads.
They were afraid that, when that time came, she would turn around and use the base’s power to settle her personal score against them.
So, for them, her decision was anything but a good outcome.
’Why?’
’She was so arrogant before, so why the sudden change in attitude? After offending so many of us, how could she dare to join our base?’
’Isn’t she afraid we’ll resort to dirty tricks? The way she was acting, she wasn’t holding anything back. It never seemed like she would agree.’
Hearing her reply, a smile appeared on Selene Larkin’s face. "A very good, very smart decision."
’It’s a shame,’ she thought. ’If she had made this decision earlier and hadn’t been so outrageous from the start, I would have genuinely welcomed her to join us.’
But she had been far too arrogant in the beginning. She had brought this on herself.
Stella Sterling took in everyone’s expressions. Beneath her mask, the smile on her face was playful.
Then, she looked at River Larkin.
When River Larkin saw her gaze land on him again, his brow furrowed. For some reason, he felt there was something malicious in Stella Sterling’s eyes.
He was suddenly reminded of that night, outside her window—of her wicked expression, of the way she had toyed with him.
He felt that Stella Sterling was giving off that same vibe right now.
He subconsciously took two steps back.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Selene Larkin looked over at him. ’River Larkin is really not himself today. He’s very different from usual.’
River Larkin shook his head. "It’s nothing. But... based on her previous behavior, does she really seem like someone who wants to join our base? I get the feeling she’s lying."
But Selene Larkin just smiled confidently. "My offer is tempting enough. Besides, with a meteoric rise on one side and a miserable death on the other, anyone would know how to choose."
"I’ve given her this chance. She should be grateful to me."
River Larkin fell silent. ’Is that so? Is that really how it is?’
But for some reason, he felt that the person he knew wasn’t someone who would submit so easily.
He shook his head, telling himself he was overthinking things.
’This is Sanctyr Base. For Stella Sterling, it’s a real opportunity. No matter how arrogant the old Stella was, she had to yield in the face of absolute power.’
With that thought, his gaze hardened, and he looked back at Stella Sterling.
’As long as she stays at the base—this is Selene Larkin’s territory, after all—it will be much easier to get rid of her in secret.’
Selene Larkin looked at Stella Sterling, a smile gracing her cold face. "So, you’ve made up your mind, then?"
Stella Sterling shook her head. "I can join Sanctyr Base, but I have one condition."
Hearing this, Selene Larkin was deeply dissatisfied. ’An opportunity to join our base, and even get a personal introduction to Boss Saint from me... what an incredible chance.’
And yet, this woman wasn’t satisfied. She actually dared to state her own conditions.
But then she thought about the woman’s abilities. ’Talented people,’ she mused, ’do have the right to be different.’
So, after a moment of silence, she nodded. "State your condition. If it’s within my power, I’ll grant it."
"Alright. I only have one condition: hand him over to me. After that, I’ll be one of your base’s people."
As she spoke, she pointed a finger at River Larkin.
River Larkin took several steps back, his eyes narrowing.
Selene Larkin’s eyes narrowed as well, her gaze fixed on Stella Sterling. "What do you mean by that?"
’It seems they really do know each other. River isn’t wearing a mask, so she must have recognized him.’
’But from the look of it, their relationship is anything but friendly.’
Stella Sterling continued, "It’s simple. I don’t like the look of him. With my abilities, joining your Sanctyr Base should grant me some privileges, right?"
"Right now, I want you to hand him over for me to deal with. If you agree, everything else is negotiable. Otherwise, the deal’s off."
After speaking, Stella Sterling turned to look at River Larkin. His face was a little pale, but there was no panic in his expression.
In fact, he looked quite confident.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. From the moment he’d started trying to persuade Selene Larkin to kill her, she was certain that he had recognized her, even with the mask.
’Trying to hide in the shadows, are you?’
’Well, I’m just going to have to drag you out into the light.’